Vehicle suspension



,De.3,1935. 3 Cp ,1 HAWKIN'S 2,023,135

VEHICLE SUSPENSIN Filed Feb. 11, 19:3 11 sheets-sheet 1 l 'A TTURNEYS.

Dec. 3,1 1935.

c. A. HAwKlNs 2,023,135

VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed Feb. 11,l 1933 11 Smets-sheet 2 ATToRNE/f Dec. 3, 1935*.

11 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 Y 0 Y M2M V# Mm .,T 5 g/A f Lm c .M

C. A. HAwKlNs VEHICLE SUSPENSION' Filed Fb. 11, 1953 1 De 3', 1935-, c. A. 'HAwKlNs 2,023,135

VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed Feb.v 11, 1955 11 sheets-sheet 4;

Fmg;

IN V EN TOR.

A TT ORNE S.

De. 3,. 1935. c. A. HAwKlNs 2,023,135

` VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed Feb. 11, 1953 11 sneets-sheefc'e i Mf/Mgff ATToRN Dec. 3, 1935. A HAWKINS 2,023,135

VEHICLE SUSPENSION FiledfFeb. 11, '1935 11 sheets-sheet 7 4 INVENToR. I Char/e5 A. #awk/'ns Zf/bdf ATTORNEYS.'

Dec. 3, 1935# l c. A. HAwKlNs 2,023,135

` VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed Feb. 11, ,1953 11`sneetss`heet a ATTORNEYS.

11 sheets-311e 9 c. A. "HAwKlNs VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed Feb. ll, 1933 Dec. 3y 1935.

INVENTOR;

vm 1| E 1 WV.

` y maf/@f 4./fOW//75`- will l MMM Dec. 3, 1935. lc. A. HAWKINS '2,023,135

v VEHICLE SUSPENSION vFiled Feb. i1, 193:5 11 sheets-sheet 1o IVVENTOR.

ATTURNEYS.

y Dec'. 3, 1.935. Y 1 C A, HMA/111sx 2,023g135 VEHICLE sUsPENsI-'ON 'Filed Feb. 11, 193s 1 11 sheets-Sheet '11l A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec".l 3, -19'35- UNiTED STATES PATENT oFFlcE VEHICLE SUSPENSION Charles A. Hawkins, San Francisco, Calif. Application February 11, 1933, 'Serial' No. 656,307

l Claim. (Cl. 267-65) This invention relates to the suspension for a Avehicle vand to a; iiuid suspension system capable ofmaintaining the vehicleirame in a desired position relative to the roadway by read,- justing itself continuously to accommodate variations in loading and in the surface of the roadway.

In accordance with my present invention I provide an inter-connected uid suspension system capable of adjusting the frame so that a load upon the vehicle .is distributed substantially equally among the supporting wheels and so that, irrespective of the movement of the wheels, the frame occupies substantially the same position, underv any given load, relative to the roadway being traversed.

It is an object of the invention to provide-a vehicle suspension system capable of distributing the load upon the Yvehicle substantially equ'aily to each of the wheels supporting the vehicle and which is inherently capable of adjusting itself so that the frame of the vehicle is maintained in a substantially predetermined planar position with respect to the roadway.

A further. object of the invention is to devise a structure useful with a iiuid vehicle-suspenA- sion system, capable of resiliently mounting the Wheels upon the vehicle and of maintaining the frame in a substantially predetermined position with respect to the roadway.

The foregoing and other objects are attaine in the embodiment of the invention shown Ain the drawings, in which i Figure -1 is a', schematic plan of a vehicle illustrating my invention.

Figure 2 is a-side elevation of a portion of the vehicle and being partly in section through a pneumatic suspension device.

Figure 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of a 40 wheel mounting as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section through a portion of thel wheel mounting shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged section through a portion of the structure shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section through a modified i'orm of pressure device.

Figure 9 is a section through another form of uid pressure device.

Figure 10 is across secticn on av ciiametral plane of -a form of pneumatic suspension device incorporating a coil spring.

' Figure 11 is a cross section of a modiiied form of suspension device incorporating springs.

Figure 12 is a cross section of a formof pneumatic suspension device having external coil springs. l

Figure 13 is a. cross section similar to Figure 8 but having incorporated therewith external coil springs. Y

' Figure 14 is a cross section of an additionallyl inodiiled form of suspension device having a 10 single external coil spring.

Figure 15 is a cross section of a pneumatic suspension device having an external coil spring and designed for relatively small deiiections.

Figure 16 is a cross section on a diametra115 plane of an additionaliy modied form of suspension device without springs.

Figure 17 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the mechanism shown vin Figure 16.`

Figure 18 is a plan of a diaphragm disclosed 20 in Figure 16, showing particularly the cord arrangement.

Figure 1911s a side elevation, portions being in section, of a pneumatic suspension device utilizing a standard tire. 25

- Figurez is a view similar to Figure 19 showing a side elevation with portions in-section of a mcdiied form of suspension device utilizing a standard tire. p

Preferably, my invention comprises a vehicle 30 suspension in which an interconnected uid system is provided for mounting a plurality of wheels relative to a frame, so that the load upon the frame is distributed substantially equally upon all the wheels. and so"that the frame is in- 35 herently urged to Amaintain. a. predetermined planar position with respect to the roadway.

In the vehicle herein'shown, I employ a frame 2i in which a. source of lrnotive power, such as an. engine 22, is mounted. A plurality of wheels 40 23 are mounted for independent movementwith respect to the frame. In the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the wheels are carried upon arms 24 pivotedto the frame as at 26. Each ofthe arms 24 is carried upon a stub shaft 21 4.5l which extends from the frame and pivots on a bearing 26 interposed between thearm and the shaft. The arm is axially restrained by a plate 28 abutting the' bearing- 28 and secured to the shaft 21 by studs 3|. .A cover l32 extends over 50 the plate 26 and engages the arm 24 to sealthe bearing.

The wheels 23 are rotatably carried at the outer ends of the arms 24 with or without the interposition ci steering knuckles 36. Preferably 55 all ofthe wheels or all but one or possibly two transversepairs-thereof are mounted for steering movement.

'I'he arms 24 are mounted yieldably with respect to the frame by means of pressure devices 38 preferably interconnected and communieating through a pipe line 39 with a fluid reservoir 4|. A three-way valve 42 can be operated to admit fluid to the interconnected system or to` discharge fluid to the atmosphere through an exhaust 43. Fluid is supplied to the reservoir by' a fluid pump 44 conveniently operated by the engine 22.

A form of pressure device 38 which operates in accordance with my invention is shown in Figure 2. This particular pressure device 5| re` ceives fluid, preferably air, froml the interconnected system through a conduit 52. The pressure device 5| is a container preferably of spherical contour when unfiexed and is preferably constructed of such materials as fabric and rubber so that it is flexible, rugged and capable of deformation in accordance with working conditions. A tube 53 4having a flange 54 seated Within the device is held in place by a lock nut 58. A bracket 51 encompassing .the tube is fastened to asupport 58 mounted on the frame by studs 59.

In accordance with my invention the pressure device 5| is preferably confined between approximately spherical surfaces, such as the surface 60 of the bracket 51 and the surface 88 of a piston 83. The piston 83 is carried on a piston rod 6| pivoted to the arm 24 by a pin 82 and passing through an extension 84 upon the support 58. The extension 84 conveniently carries rubber pads 86 and 61, respectively, acting as stops upon extreme movement of the arm 24.

An increase in load upon the vehicle or approaching movement of the wheel 23 and frame 2| is effective to cause each of the suspension devices to be moved into a position such as that designated in Figure 2 by light .lines 1| The container 5| s then in contact with the vvhole of the spherical faces 60 and 68 of the' bracket and the piston respectively, the arm 24 occupylng a position indicated by the lines 12. Upon a decrease in the load upon the vehicle, or receding movement voi' the wheel 23 and frame 2|,

the pressure device expands in correspondingv amounts up to a maximum at the other extreme position indicated by the lines 18, the arm then occupying a position indicated by the lines 11. In this light load or expanded position but relatively small areas of the flexible pressureI device are in contact with the faces of the piston and the supporting bracket.

Since the contacting areas change under vari. I ations in load and with movement of the arm l with respect to the frame, in the present structure the total pressure and the unit pressure in the pneumatic devices do not bear a single, Axed relationship to veach other. Consequently, the fluid is forced about the interconnected system .to cause the pressure devices to work until the and secured to the arm 24. A similar arrangement is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, but with a 4,plurality of pressure devices to accommodate the with respect to the frame. A pair of pressure devices 90 and 92 are placed in fluid communication with the interconnecting system by a flexible connection 9|. The pressure devices are arranged in axial alignment and are spaced by Y an interposed lens-shaped body 93 retained in place by extensions 94 on the pressure devices, while a spherically faced bracket 95 secured to the frame acts as an abutment. With this arrangement, the proper number of devices may be assembled in parallel or in series or both to take care of the load, each additional device in creasing the supporting area or increasing the deflection range, and thus increasing the load capacity of the vehicle. l

The preferable formation of the pressure devices shown in Figure 4 is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Separate halves of the device are cemented or vulcanized together along their contiguous faces 96 and are additionally held togethei` by flanged rings 91 which interengage an annularly grooved extension 98 to clamp the halves securely against leakage of the fluid.

In the modification shown1 in Figure 8, the pressure device is manufactured by extending flexible discs |0| and |02 formed of suitable material across a ring |03 U-shaped in cross section. 'I'he discs are each provided with annular reenforcing cords |04 which lie within circular ribs |08 tened to the ring |03 by bolts |09 to hold the as-` sembly in position. The annular'plates |08 are provided with arcuately formed portions not only for engaging the ribs |08 but also for contacting the discs |0| and |02 in varying amounts; in accordance with the flexux'e of the discs, as i's indicated by the dotted lines, tov vary the free area of the discs and to move the region of fiexure.

In the modification shown in Figure il),l flexible discs ||6 and ||1 are positioned between a block 93 and a movable bracket 81, and are retained in annular slots ||8 provided in a ring ||9 and in annular slots |2| provided in clamping collars |22. These collars are provided with curved extensions l| 23 'adapted progressively to assume load from the discs as the pneumatic device. expands and removes load from the block 83 and the bracket 81.

In the'arrangement of Figure 10 there is provided a piston rod I3| at its end terminating in an enlarged spherically contoured head |32 which abuts a flexible diaphragm |33 having an extension |34 interfitting with a depression in the head |32. 'Ihe diaphragm |33 is clamped between a suitably contoured plate |38 and a flanged extension |31 on the lower extremity of a -cylindrical housing |38, preferably formed of metal or other suitable material, towhich the plate |38v is secured by fastenlngs |33. 'I'he housing |33 at its opposite end is similarly flared to provide a suitably contoured flange |4| receiving fastenings |42 for holding a properly contoured annular plate |43 in position. A flexible diaphragm. |44 is clamped between the plate 43 phragm |44 centralizes the diaphragm with rel f spect to the bracket |41.

With the structure as so far described, the diaphragms |33 and |44 together with the cylindrical member |38 form an enclosed chamber designed to conne a pneumatic fluid. In addition to the pressure of the confined huid. which tends to space the bracket |41 and the piston rod |3|, I

' preferably provide a coil spring |5| suitably housed by the cylindrical member |38 and at one end abutting a plate |52 havinga central projection |53 adapted to seat within the extension |49 and be centralized thereby, and having likewise a peripheral groove |54 for positioning the spring u|5|. Similarly, the other end of they spring seats in agroove |56 peripherally formed on a plate |51 likewise provided with an extension |58 designed to seat within the depression |34. In order to limit the approaching movements of the bracket |41 and the piston rod |3I, the plate |51 preferably carries an abutment |62 designed to contact a resilient button |63 held by al fastener |84 on a similar abutment |66 seated within the plate |52. Y

In Figure l1, there is an arrangement in which a piston rod |1| carries a suitably contoured and recessed head4 |12 abutting a flexible diaphragm |13 clamped between an annular plate |14 and a cylindrical housing |16. The diaphragm and housing are designed to contain uid under pressure ,to space the head |12 from the housing |16, which in turn can be fastened to a suitable sup.- port. Within the housing there is provided an outer coil spring |11 and an inner coil spring |18 preferably ofA diiierent characteristics. Both of the springs surround a centrally extended abutment |19 preferably formed intergrally with the housing |16 and adapted to beI contacted, upon extreme movement of the head |12, by a resilient bumper 18| forming part of a plate |82 designed to centralize the springs |11 and |16 and adapted .to seat Within a depression |83 in the head |12.

Un'der certain conditions it is desirable to remove the spring from the interior of the air containing housing, and in Figure 12 I show an arrangement accomplishing this purpose. This mechanism includes a piston rod |86 which is fastened to a head |81 provided with a central,l

generally spherical surface |88 adapted to contact a diaphragm |89 incorporated in a supporting device comparable to that shown in Figure 8. This device includes I a second diaphragm |9| adapted to' contact a generally spherical face |92 forming part of a bracket |93 having an apertured boss |94 or other suitable means for attachment to a support. The head |81 is provided with a plurality of bosses |98 adapted to act as positioning means for circumferentially arranged coil springs |91, which at their opposite ends engage comparable bosses |98 forming part of the head |93.

With this arrangement the springs |91 being externally mounted can easily be removed or replaced. f

In Figure 13, there is shown another external vspring mounting with the springs arranged con- `Figure 8. The device 2 04 also incorporates a diaphragm 206 abutting a suitably contoured surface 201 forming part of an attachment bracket 208 designed to be secured to a suitable support. The bracket 208 provides a seating for rods 209, which not only act as guides for the pneumatic device 204, but also carry a plate 2| against whichv 5 one end of an outer coil spring 2| 2 abuts. The other end of the spring 2|2 is seated on a peripheral flange V2|3 integral with a cylindrical sleeve 2|4 which is provided at its opposite end with an inturned flange 2|6. This latter flange forms an abutment for a coil spring 2 |1 which surrounds an inner coill spring 2|8 having different characteristics. 'I'he springs 2|1 and 2|8 likewise' abut a washer 2|9 encompassing the piston rod 20| and seated against a shoulder 22| formed at a suitable point thereon'. During relative movement between the piston rod 20| and Athe bracket 208 not only is the pneumatic device 204 variously compressed and expanded, but also the springs 2| 2, 2|1 and 2I8 assist in assuming 20 y 23| is formed with a peripheral ange 233 against which one end of a coil'sprlng 234 abuts. The 35 spring 234 is of sufcient diameter to encompass the pneumatic device and at its opposite end is seated on a peripheral flange 236 incorporated with the head 224.

A further modification of this general scheme 40 is shown in Figure l5, in which a piston rod 24| is secured to a head 242 having a sphericalsurface 243 thereon for abutment with a diaphragm 244. This diaphragm is clamped between a suitably contoured plate 246 and a supporting bracket 45 241 fastened to any proper support. The plate 246 is held on the bracket 241 with the diaphragm 244 interposed therebetween by suitable fastening means 248. The bracket is provided with a flange 249 against which a coil spring 25| of 50 relatively large diameter seats, while the head 242 is provided with an oppositely facing flange 252 against which'th spring 25| also seats. In I the operation of this device, the deection of the diaphragm 244 is accompanied by a correspond- 55 ing deflection of the spring 25|.

In Figure 16 there is disclosed a somewhat different type of suspension device which preferably includes a piston rod 256 "at its lower end provided with an apertured boss 251 for connection 60 to a suitable actuator, and at its upper end enlarged, as at 258, to forma suitably contoured surface. .A` diaphragm 259 of exible material is designed to lie against'more or less of the surface of the head 258 and to be centralized with 65 respect thereto by means of a boss 26| projecting from the diaphragm and inter-engaging with a bore 262 in the head. Preferably the diaphragm 259 is terminated peripherally by an enlarged circumferential bead 283 suitably provided with 70 reinforcing bands 264.

As especially shown in Figures 17 and 18, the diaphragm includes not only a flexible substance,- such as rubber, as its binding constituent, but also includes a plurality of layers of fabric such 75 suitably to enclose the reinforcement 264. Often the fabric is made up of cloth having the warp and Woof threads at right angles to each other, and preferably I employ six layers of such fabric with the warp threads, for instance, in successive layers rotated through with respect to each other in order to provide a construction which resists forces in all directions.

Reverting now to the structure shown in Figure 16, the diaphragm 259 presses against a surrounding cylindrical housing 216 and is held in place thereon by means of an annular ring 211 similar to those utilized in conjunction with standard pneumatic tires. In the present lnst'ance, however, the locking ring 211 is suitably contoured with respect to the contour of the surface 258 to vary tle zone of flexure of the diaphragm 259 and to assume contact with a portion of the diaphragm as the diaphragm leaves contact with the surface 258. The housing 216 is also provided with a second locking ring' 218 similar to the locking ring 211, and with a snap ring 219 engaging the housing 216 in order firmly to hold the assembly in proper location.

Against the locking ring 218 a diaphragm 28| abuts. This diaphragm is similar to the diaphragm 259 with the exception that it is prof municating pneumatic system. The stem 283 is clamped not only to the diaphragm 28| but also y to a bracket 286 which forms the connection between the pneumatic device and the support therefor. Preferably the interior of the chamber formed by the diaphragms 259 and 28|, together with the housing 216, is lined with an inner container :or bag 281 preferably fabricated of relatively thin flexible rubber.

With this Aform of suspension device, the housing 216 oats and is moved half of the distance that the piston head 258 moves with respect to the bracket 286,- so that both diaphragms are called upon for fiexure in order to give a wide range of relative movement between the piston rod 256 and the bracket 286.

In Figures 19 and 20 there are shown two forms of suspension device incorporating a standard automotive tire for the pneumatic suspension` mechanism. In.Flgure 19, for instance there is disclosed-a vehicle frame 29| carrying a stub shaft 292 on which an arm 293 is pivotally mounted. The arm carries a ground engaging wheel 294 for rotation with respect thereto, and, if desired, for steering movements with respect thereto. Rising and falling movement of the wheel 294 is communicated to the arm 293 and causes it to rotate pivotally about the stub shaft 292. The arm 293 is formed with an extension 2.96 which 5 at its end is enlarged as at 291 to form a standard mounting plate for the reception of' a disc 298 which can be a standard disc wheel secured thereto by standard fastening means 299.

At its periphery the disc 298 is joined to a rim 10 30| preferably of standard construction which inter-engages with a tire 302 of a standard type ordinarily used on ground engaging wheels, and more especially of the type having a relatively large capacity for air under relatively low pres- 15 sure. The tire 302 is confined with respect to the frame 29| by a bracket 303 projecting from the frame and having 'an appropriate arcuate contour for resisting movement of the tire bodily toward the left in lFigure 19. Similarly, a bracket 20 304 is mounted on the frame 29| and resists bodily movement of the tire 302 in the opposite direction. Thus, for rising and falling movement of the ground engaging wheel 294 the extension 296 is moved similarly and transmits its move- 25 ment through the disc 298 to the rim 30|. Movement of the rim is absorbed by deflection of the standard tire 302, while the slight arcuate movement due to the pivotal fastening of the extension 296 is likewise absorbed in the flexibility 30 of the tire 302.

A similar arrangement is disclosed in Figure 20, in which a ground engaging wheel 306 is fastened rotatably on one end of an arm 301 mounted pivotally, as at 308, on a frame 309. 'I'he arm 35 carries an extension 3||v fastened toa disc 3|2 by suitable means 3|3. 'A rim3|4 peripherally surrounding the disc 3|2 carries a standard tire 3|6 equipped with a stem 3| 1 for connection, as at 3|8, to a pneumatic intercommunicating sys- 40 tem. A bracket 3I9 fastened to the frame extends partially over the tire 3|6 and resists movement thereof in an upward direction while a comparable bracket 32| also fastened to the frame 309 extends partially under the tire 3|6 and re- 45 sists downward movement thereof.

I claim:

A vehicle suspension comprising a pneumatic device including an annular band having an interior cylindrical surface, a pair of flexible dia- 50 phragms abutting said interioi` surface of' said band to enclose a chamber, means seated on said interior surface for retaining said diaphragms on said band, and a flexible air containing envelope disposed within said chamber. 55

. CHARLES A. HAWKINS. 

